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Atlanta Braves Add to Bullpen & Shuffle Minor League Deck

By Fred Owens

May 3, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Eric O'Flaherty (34) reacts after being pulled from the game in the eighth inning of their game against the New York Mets at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Eric O'Flaherty (34) reacts after being pulled from the game in the eighth inning of their game against the New York Mets at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Bravs Acquired Enrigue Burgos from Arizona
Aug 15, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Enrique Burgos against the New York Mets at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Speaking of relievers

On My 15th Arizona designated RHP Enrique Burgos for assignment and yesterday the Braves wrote them a check in exchange for his services.

The Diamondbacks signed Burgos as an international free agent back in 2007. At the end of the 2009 season Baseball America rated him the D’Backs #24 prospect. He vanished off their prospect list after that season only to return after the 2014 season at #29. That season also saw him named the best reliever with the best  in the A+ California League.

The 2014 season saw Burgos use a “a fastball now up to a lively 99 mph” to strike out nearly 14 per nine while walking just four per nine. Here’s part of the BA scouting report  – subscription required – after that season.

"“. . .a live, loose arm, with a max-effort delivery that he doesn’t always repeat. . .a plus slider in the mid-80s. . .to complement the heater. . .profiles as a seventh-inning reliever and is still a bit of a wild card. . .”"

He made 10 appearances in AA at the start of 2015 then moved to AAA Reno for 15 more with a combined 3.70 ERA. That doesn’t look too bad but the reason for his wild card status was pretty obvious; he gave up 23 hits and walked 20 in 24 1/3 IP.

Ups and Downs

He had a cup of coffee with Arizona that year as well but started 2016 back at Reno. He returned to Phoenix for 7 games at the end of April/first of May but gave up seven hits and walked four in 6 2/3 IP and returned to Reno.

You may remember that the Diamondbacks had lots of injuries last season and needed a lot of bullpen help. The upshot was Burgos recall the first week of July and this time he stuck around for the rest of the season thanks to improved control.

Over 34 1/3 IP in 36 games he posted a 5.19 ERA and a 1.153 WHIP striking out 39 and walking 19 and giving up four hoe runs.

The 2017 season found the now 26-year-old,  6’4” 250 pound Burgos back at Reno where he made 11 appearances throwing 13 Innings with a 6.23 ERA and 2.000 WHIP before being released.

This is a case of the Braves hoping they can fix Burgos’ mechanics so that his 99mph is a useful tool instead of a lottery pick.

The acquisition of Burgos required a 40-man roster spot and that was made available by sending Chaz Roe to 60-day DL.

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